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7. How do we manage internal and external stigma

among health care workers?

Dr. Ahmad Rostam:

The stigma is real. When we are dealing with psychological issues among our
healthcare workers, in Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, we received a lot of reports from

healthcare workers, because they are being marginalized for working as healthcare
professionals. This stigma could come from their own spouses, friends, neighbours or
family members in which it could be very demotivating for most of them. Healthcare

professionals are an altruistic group of people in which we would like to help people.
However, in this situation, many people are being uneasy due to COVID-19 pandemic,

and it is unfortunate that healthcare workers have become collateral damage in the
process. This is because healthcare workers would be dealing directly with the COVID-
19 positive patients. Healthcare professionals are safer than the public even though we

are dealing with the COVID-19 patients because despite being frontliners, healthcare
professionals have taken the necessary safety precautions in protecting ourselves
while working closely with COVID-19 positive patients. Unfortunately, many people

are unable to see this.

How should we manage this then? Firstly, as healthcare workers, we should always

support each other. We must work together in this situation. It is rather difficult to
make everyone to understand what healthcare workers are dealing with in this
pandemic. #KitaJagaKita (we take care of us) hashtag should be implemented.

Secondly, very important part is the leadership. From our observation with 2000
clients in psychological first aid course that we conducted in Kedah, we can see a few

things that they need from their leaders. They want their leaders to be able to smile